The peaceful majority vs hate and fear

There will always be bad people.  Bullies, psychopaths, people who are not wired like the rest of us who are bent on destruction.  People may attribute their violent tendencies to environment, upbringing or brainwashing.  But some people are just that way, we’ll never eliminate them. These people are often highly persuasive, intelligent, charismatic and manipulative.  They can exploit their natural charm or abilities to intimidate and get others to carry out acts in their name or at their bidding.

It may “start small” with words, subtle abuses and hateful politics.  Then the power excites, their popularity builds and they take courage from it to use more violent language and then carry out more and more extreme acts.  What begins with bullying or abusive language, if unchecked, can extend to intimidation and violence. By challenging a bully or identify someone using disrespectful language and pointing out that it is unacceptable each individual taking action reduces the chances of the behaviour escalating.

At a societal level there are systems in place to protect the peaceful majority from harmful individuals.  However war and those who advocate violent action “for protection” actually removes those systems and endangers people further.  The “shoot before you get shot” approach exacerbates rather than limits violence, a stark fact that many societies around the world recognise but have struggled to translate into effective social policy.

For centuries the peaceful majority have used mechanisms to limit the amount of power that any one person can accumulate.  In a large chunk of the world today there are models of democracy and legal systems in place to do just that.  Democracy may not be perfect but it’s the best model we’ve found yet to protect human rights. However even democratic systems can be exploited and corrupted.  To make sure the peaceful majority do not become irrelevant there are some simple steps that every individual can take.

• Challenge injustice when you see it.
• Stand up to bullies.
• Support people in need.
• Take action against corruption.
• Respect everyone even if their life view is very different to your own.
• Be compassionate.
• Enjoy the moment and take pleasure from simple things.
• Give kids the skills and self-confidence to confidently challenge bullies and respect difference.

When people are contented, respected and treated with compassion they are far less likely to be fooled into following an extremist ideology or suckered in by a manipulative psychopath.  People who are angry, stressed, embittered and abused are far more likely to be persuaded that an extreme course of action is justifiable.  Surely its better if we don't give the loonies that chance.

When a political group with bullying tendencies posts a message which resonates it requires just a moment to think about what that group represents before sharing their message and implying support for their cause.  There are many organisations, including parts of the media, who are manipulative and disrespectful to the people whose stories they hijack for their own corrupt means. They twist stories to suit their own ends and use religious or political ideology to explain settling their personal grievances. Among the peaceful majority there are many people prepared to challenge those who misrepresent people's personal experiences.

The historical situations where the peaceful majority are accused of being irrelevant equally have plenty of examples of where people did “the right thing” and helped their neighbours and followed their own strong moral compass to protect people from holocaust or genocide.  Many brutal dictatorships and civil injustices have been halted and freedom, democracy and human rights protected due to continued, insistent action by the peaceful majority. Throughout history, the peaceful majority have always appreciated the benefits of life without conflict and sought to end war and violence though negotiation and compromise.

Will the world ever be free from war, conflict and violence? Probably not, and certainly not in our lifetimes.  Are the peaceful majority irrelevant? Absolutely not.  For every random act of violence there are so many more random acts of kindness.Using education, facts and the lessons from history to refute messages of hate and prejudice.  There are plenty of examples of the peaceful majority being anything but irrelevant so let us highlight those stories not events inspired by hate and fear.